How Often Should You Update Your Will in Canada?
The most common will-related mistake Canadians make is creating a will once and never reviewing it. Life changes — relationships, assets, family, intentions — but the will sits in a drawer reflecting circumstances from years ago. This guide covers the right cadence.
Baseline cadence
Every 3-5 years — review your will even if you don't think anything has changed. You'll often discover that something has — a named guardian moved out of country, a beneficiary's life situation changed, an executor's health declined.
The annual estate plan review checklist captures this; see our annual review checklist.
Trigger events for immediate update
Update right away (within 60 days) after:
Family changes:
- Marriage (may revoke prior will in some provinces)
- Divorce
- New common-law relationship
- Death of spouse, child, named executor, named guardian
- Birth or adoption of child
- Child reaches age of majority
- Major change in family relationships (estrangement, reconciliation)
Asset changes:
- Major property purchase or sale
- Significant inheritance received
- Business start or sale
- Acquired foreign assets
Personal changes:
- Move to a different province
- Serious health diagnosis
- Retirement
- Change in citizenship or residency
Beneficiary changes:
- Beneficiary's life situation changed substantially
- Want to add or remove a beneficiary
- Charitable interests changed
Beneficiary designations also need updates
RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, life insurance beneficiary designations are separate from the will. They pass directly to the named beneficiary regardless of what the will says.
After any major change (especially divorce), update both:
- The will
- All beneficiary designations on registered plans and insurance
Failing to update designations after divorce is a common, costly mistake — the ex-spouse remains named and receives the funds.
How to update
Option 1 — New will. Typically simpler than a codicil. Revokes prior wills. Recommended for substantial changes.
Option 2 — Codicil. Formal amendment to existing will. Properly executed like the original. Suitable for minor changes (changing a single beneficiary, updating an executor backup).
Option 3 — Don't write on the existing will. Crossing things out and writing in changes typically invalidates the document. Never do this.
Cost of updating
- Lawyer-drafted will: $200-$500 per update typically
- Online service: $0-$100 (varies by service)
- DIY will: free
Most updates are inexpensive enough that there's no good financial reason to delay.
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The will questionnaire supports easy updates as your circumstances change. The annual estate review checklist prompts you to consider what may need updating.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Canadian Bar Association — Wills and estates — Canadian Bar Association
Frequently asked questions
How often is normal?
Every 3-5 years for a baseline review. After any major life event whenever it occurs. Most Canadians update too rarely — the will sits for 10-20 years while circumstances change substantially.
What triggers an immediate update?
Marriage (may revoke prior will in some provinces); divorce (changes treatment of ex-spouse); birth/adoption of child (guardian and inheritance); death of named person; major property purchase/sale; move to different province; change in family relationships (estrangement, reconciliation); serious health diagnosis; retirement; significant inheritance.
Do beneficiary designations need parallel updates?
Yes — critically. RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, life insurance beneficiary designations are separate from the will. After divorce, the ex-spouse may still be named as RRSP beneficiary and would receive the funds despite the will saying otherwise. Always update designations alongside will updates.
Is there a cost to update?
Depends on how you have your will. Lawyer-drafted — typically $200-$500 per update. Online service — varies (some include updates in subscription; some charge per update). DIY — free. For most updates, cost is modest.
Can I just write changes on the existing will?
No. Don't write on an existing executed will. Either prepare a properly-executed codicil (formal amendment) or prepare a new will (typically simpler than codicil). Crossing things out and writing in changes typically invalidates the document.
What's a codicil?
A formal amendment to an existing will. Properly executed (signed by testator, witnessed by two qualified witnesses) like the original will. Used for minor changes. For substantial changes, a new will is typically simpler.